This quilt was inspired by the arrival of NASA’s Perseverance on Mars in 2020. Jezero crater is the remains of a liquid lake and Perseverance Rover is exploring the many uncharted channels leading from it. Pencil size samples will soon begin their 33 million mile journey back to Earth to be examined for life forms. This is my own design. I wanted to create the feeling of the vast distance between Earth and the Red Planet, and their recognisable intimacy.
I used thickened Procion dyes and screen breakdown printing method on calico and cotton. The method involves laying thickened paste onto a screen and when it is dry, printing it with a softening print paste. This allows for all sorts of different shapes and forms to emerge as each print run is completed and the unique, original image eventually disappears. I embedded some metal objects in the paste to allow for more shape imagery to come through. I also hand painted some areas. I recommend Leah Higgins book, Breakdown Printing, and her excellent courses. Machine quilted. I also embellished with Marabu metallic paints and heat fusible jewels.
